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ULM grad student receives award

Ahmad Abdelkarim, D.D.S, D.M.D, Ph.D., a doctoral student in the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s online curriculum and instruction program, recently received the Outstanding Faculty Award from The American College of Dentists of the Mississippi Section.

Abdelkarim — an assistant professor and chair of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry — holds numerous doctoral and master’s degrees in the fields of dentistry, orthodontics, and health science.

Abdelkarim chose to complete formal training in the field of curriculum and instruction to secure his future as an educator, and earning the Outstanding Faculty Award is a result of his dedication to receiving an additional degree.

“Receiving the Outstanding Faculty Award has been wonderful, particularly because previous recipients include several faculty members that I admire,” Abdelkarim said. “Academic awards are valuable because they recognize past achievements, but more importantly, they inspire their recipients to do even more.”

The American College of Dentists is the oldest major honorary organization for dentists.

Abdelkarim enrolled in the ULM program because it offers the training for him to become both a successful faculty member and administrator in academic dentistry.

“He wanted to be the best instructor and researcher that he could possibly be and this degree contributed significantly to his growth in both areas,” said Dr. Dorothy Schween, director of the School of Education.

“Participation in ULM’s Ed.D. program has allowed me to acquire the academic and educational insights that I need to improve my skills in academic dentistry,” Abdelkarim said. “In the program, I was able to identify my teaching strengths and weaknesses in order to build on the former and improve the latter to become a better teacher and leader.”

ULM offers various opportunities for healthcare professional in its education programs.

“We currently have radiologists and nurses in the Health Professions Education (HPRE) track pursuing terminal degrees in order to become credentialed as higher education faculty,” Schween said.

This summer, Abdelkarim is expected to be promoted to associate professor of orthodontics. He serves as the director of the University of Mississippi pre-doctoral orthodontic program, and serves on the University of Mississippi Medical Center staff. He is also a member of University Dentists.